Camp-O-Rama (w/pics)

[DanaT]

That makes me jealous

My first camping trip this year will be the first weekend in June. I hope to get to some nice areas in mid to late summer.

The first week in June will be camping near the Great Sand Dunes national park. Unfortunately, the camping rules suck in anything controlled by the national parks system. No weapons allowed. However, I contacted the head ranger. Since I will not be IN the national park, but in the national preserve, hunting is allowed. Of coarse the gun must be transported through the national park in a specific manner. What is bad is that this area had some of the highest rates of human/bear contact in the area, but no gun allowed in the preserve unless one is hunting. The park ranger said that hunting is allowed.

My question:
“The small game season, with a license, for ground squirrels in Colorado is year round. Since hunting allowed, can you clarify for me the regulations on possessing weapons for hunting in the national preserve? How I understand this is that if I am involved with hunting (with a license), I
can have a weapon. Is this correct?”

Here was his reply:
“Absolutely correct, in the preserve, and provided that its a legal weapon for the species in season.

If you are not engaged in hunting, as evidenced by having a valid hunting license in season, the firearm must be completely unloaded, etc, as for the national park.”

In season for ground squirrels is all year and any rifle or handgun is legal for small game hunting. Looks like I am making a hunting trip and not a camping trip. BTW, I always have a small game license.

Anyways, looking forward to camping, just still a lot of snow in the hills. I am thinking the nice high spots will have the passes closed until July this year. I just wish it was warm enough to camp earlier. Well, I don’t mind the cold, but many of the camping buddies are weenies.

-Dana

[retired]

Whats the white and blue thing in the backround of the pic? Where is the motor home? That's my idea of camping. The old back won't take the sleeping bag anymore, even with an air mattress.

[bd]

Originally Posted by retired

Whats the white and blue thing in the backround of the pic? Where is the motor home? That's my idea of camping. The old back won't take the sleeping bag anymore, even with an air mattress.

That's the tent in the neighboring campsite. We sleep under picnic tables.



If we had the opportunity to camp more often we have talked about buying a camper of some sort. We only get to go 5 or 6 times a year and it's usually for only 1 or 2 nights, so we're just not gonna put out the money for a camper now, maybe when we retire.

We have a piece of foam 6" thick and the same size as a double bed that we sleep on when camping. It's almost like being at home. In fact we make it up like a bed w/ sheets, quilts and pillows!

We camp comfortably.

bd

[bd]

Originally Posted by DanaT

That makes me jealous

My first camping trip this year will be the first weekend in June. I hope to get to some nice areas in mid to late summer.

The first week in June will be camping near the Great Sand Dunes national park. Unfortunately, the camping rules suck in anything controlled by the national parks system. No weapons allowed. However, I contacted the head ranger. Since I will not be IN the national park, but in the national preserve, hunting is allowed. Of coarse the gun must be transported through the national park in a specific manner. What is bad is that this area had some of the highest rates of human/bear contact in the area, but no gun allowed in the preserve unless one is hunting. The park ranger said that hunting is allowed.

My question:
“The small game season, with a license, for ground squirrels in Colorado is year round. Since hunting allowed, can you clarify for me the regulations on possessing weapons for hunting in the national preserve? How I understand this is that if I am involved with hunting (with a license), I
can have a weapon. Is this correct?”

Here was his reply:
“Absolutely correct, in the preserve, and provided that its a legal weapon for the species in season.

If you are not engaged in hunting, as evidenced by having a valid hunting license in season, the firearm must be completely unloaded, etc, as for the national park.”

In season for ground squirrels is all year and any rifle or handgun is legal for small game hunting. Looks like I am making a hunting trip and not a camping trip. BTW, I always have a small game license.

Anyways, looking forward to camping, just still a lot of snow in the hills. I am thinking the nice high spots will have the passes closed until July this year. I just wish it was warm enough to camp earlier. Well, I don’t mind the cold, but many of the camping buddies are weenies.

-Dana

I can hear it now.......

"Well sure Mr. Ranger, I always hunt ground squirrels with my .454 Casull."

Have fun. Eat good.

bd